U.S. patent number 5,507,162 [Application Number 08/184,024] was granted by the patent office on 1996-04-16 for eurocylinder-type assembly for electronic lock and key system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Intellikey Corp.. Invention is credited to Kn S. Chhatwal.
United States Patent |
5,507,162 |
Chhatwal |
April 16, 1996 |
Eurocylinder-type assembly for electronic lock and key system
Abstract
A `Eurocylinder` configuration for an electronic lock and key
system has a plug fitted into a main body housing which is readily
mounted into a mortise of standardized dimensions. The plug has a
keyway at one end and a deadbolt-engaging cam at the other end. To
operate the lock, an electronic key is inserted into the keyway
and, when given permission as a result of an opto-electronic
communication exchange between a control processor in the key and a
control processor in the lock, the key is rotated so as to operate
a deadbolt. A spring biased translatable contact serves as a
conductive interface between a flex circuit and a contact on the
keyblade. The body also includes a solenoid device which is
energized by way of the flex circuit. The solenoid device operates
a plunger away from the plug to allow rotation of the plug by the
key. The body and plug also include a segmented pin arrangement
such that when the key and the plug are rotated from a key
insertion position, the key cannot be removed. A front end portion
of the elongated portion of the housing contains an opto-electronic
communication unit which communicates with a complementary
opto-electronic communication unit in the key handle.
Inventors: |
Chhatwal; Kn S. (Melbourne,
FL) |
Assignee: |
Intellikey Corp. (Melbourne,
FL)
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Family
ID: |
22675288 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/184,024 |
Filed: |
January 24, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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596210 |
Oct 11, 1990 |
5337588 |
Aug 16, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
70/278.3; 70/283;
361/172; 340/5.65; 340/5.64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
17/22 (20130101); E05B 47/063 (20130101); G07C
9/00309 (20130101); G07C 9/00944 (20130101); E05B
47/0004 (20130101); Y10T 70/713 (20150401); G07C
2009/00603 (20130101); G07C 2009/00785 (20130101); Y10T
70/7079 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
17/00 (20060101); E05B 47/06 (20060101); E05B
17/22 (20060101); G07C 9/00 (20060101); E05B
049/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/277-283,413,417
;361/172 ;340/825.31 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0462316 |
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Dec 1991 |
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EP |
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950962 |
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Oct 1956 |
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DE |
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1401281 |
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Jul 1975 |
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GB |
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2231086 |
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Nov 1990 |
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GB |
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WO88/00635 |
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Jan 1988 |
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WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Gall; Lloyd A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wands; Charles E.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 596,210, filed Oct. 11, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,588,
issued Aug. 16, 1994 entitled "Electronic Lock and Key System," by
KN Singh Chhatwal, assigned to the assignee of the present
application and the disclosure of which is herein incorporated.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An assembly for an electronic lock and key system, said key
having a handle portion housing an electronic circuit, and a
conductive blade portion extending from said handle portion and
including a conductive terminal portion mounted upon and insulated
from said conductive blade portion, said conductive blade portion
and said conductive terminal portion being electrically connected
to said electronic circuit, said assembly comprising:
a generally cylindrical body having a keyway therein, said keyway
being sized to receive the conductive blade portion of said key,
said generally cylindrical body further having a slot extending
through a wall portion of said cylindrical body, said slot having a
first axis generally transverse to and intersecting said
keyway;
an electrically insulating contact insert disposed within said
slot;
a translatable electrically conductive contact disposed within said
electrically insulating contact insert so as to be translatable
along said first axis and engageable by said conductive terminal
portion of said key, when said key is inserted into said
keyway;
an electrically conductive fixed contact element supported adjacent
to said slot and positioned to be conductively engageable with said
conductive terminal portion of said key by means of said
translatable electrically conductive contact, when said
translatable electrically conductive contact is engaged by said
conductive terminal portion of said key, when said key is inserted
into said keyway;
a flexible insulated conductor link conductively coupled to said
electrically conductive fixed contact element; and
a solenoid device having a movable plunger that is translatable
along a second axis that intersects said generally cylindrical
body, and wherein said generally cylindrical body has a first bore
that is alignable with said second axis, and is sized to receive
said movable plunger, such that said movable plunger, when inserted
into said first bore, prevents rotation of said cylindrical body
until said movable plunger is translated out of said first bore by
the operation of said solenoid device.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said translatable
electrically conductive contact is biased within said contact
insert so as to be urged along said first axis toward said keyway,
such that said translatable electrically conductive contact is
engaged by said conductive terminal portion of said key when said
conductive blade portion of said key is inserted into said
keyway.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said electrically
insulating contact insert is configured to limit translation of
said electrically conductive contact along said first axis as said
translatable electrically conductive contact is biased to a
position adjacent to said keyway, such that said conductive blade
portion of said key passes by said translatable electrically
conductive contact when said key is inserted into said keyway.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, further including a housing
having a generally cylindrical cavity in which said generally
cylindrical body is inserted, said generally cylindrical cavity
containing an electrically insulating fixed contact element holder
that includes a recess disposed in an interior surface portion
thereof, said recess facing said slot, said recess supporting said
electrically conductive fixed contact element adjacent to said slot
such that said electrically conductive fixed contact element is
conductively engaged by said translatable electrically conductive
contact when said translatable electrically conductive contact is
translated along said first axis by being engaged by said
conductive terminal portion of said key.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said electrically
insulating fixed contact element holder has a passageway sized to
accommodate said flexible insulated conductor link extending into
electrical contact with said fixed contact element.
6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically
conductive fixed contact element is comprised of flexible
conductive material so as to ensure electrical coupling between
said translatable electrically conductive contact and said flexible
insulated conductor link when said translatable electrically
conductive contact is translated along said first axis into
conductive contact with said fixed contact element by being engaged
by said conductive terminal portion of said key.
7. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said generally
cylindrical body further includes a second bore extending from a
first outer surface portion of said cylindrical body to a
prescribed depth intersecting said keyway, said second bore being
sized to receive a first pin that is engageable by said conductive
blade portion of said key.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said depth of said
second bore corresponds to the length of said first pin.
9. An assembly according to claim 7, further including a housing
having a first cavity that is configured to accommodate said
generally cylindrical body, and a second cavity adjacent to said
first cavity and being sized to receive a cam member that is
mountable with said generally cylindrical body, such that rotation
of said generally cylindrical body within said first cavity of said
housing causes rotation of said cam member within said second
cavity of said housing, and wherein said housing further includes a
third bore that extends generally transversely of said first
cavity, and is sized and located so as to be alignable with said
second bore in said generally cylindrical body, said third bore
receiving a second pin that is biased toward said first pin in said
second bore, so that said second pin may contact and urge said
first pin through said second bore to engage said conductive blade
portion of said key.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said housing further
includes a third cavity that is configured to receive a first
opto-electronic communication unit, said first opto-electronic
communication unit being operative to communicate with a second
opto-electronic communication unit retained by said handle portion
of said key, and wherein a flex circuit, to which said flexible
conductor link is connected, is provided in said third cavity and
is connectable to said first opto-electronic communication
unit.
11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein said housing further
includes a fourth cavity that communicates with said first cavity
and is configured to accommodate said solenoid device therein and
wherein said flex circuit is connected to said solenoid device.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, further including a
plurality of regions of hardened material that prevent forced
penetration access to components in cavities of said housing and
generally cylindrical body.
13. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said translatable
electrically conductive contact is biased within said contact
insert so as to be urged along said first axis toward said keyway,
such that said translatable electrically conductive contact is
engaged by said conductive terminal portion of said key when said
conductive blade portion of said key is inserted into said
keyway.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein said electrically
insulating contact insert is configured to limit translation of
said translatable electrically conductive contact along said first
axis as said translatable electrically conductive contact is biased
to a position adjacent to said keyway, such that said conductive
blade portion of said key passes by said translatable electrically
conductive contact when said conductive blade portion of said key
is inserted into said keyway.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first cavity
retains therein an electrically insulating fixed contact element
holder that includes a recess disposed in an interior surface
portion thereof, said recess facing said slot, said recess
supporting said electrically conductive fixed contact element
adjacent to said slot such that said electrically conductive fixed
contact element is conductively engaged by said translatable
electrically conductive contact when said translatable electrically
conductive contact is translated along said first axis to be
engaged by said conductive terminal portion of said key.
16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein said electrically
insulating fixed contact element holder has a passageway sized to
accommodate said flexible insulated conductor link extending into
electrical contact with said fixed contact element.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein said electrically
conductive fixed contact element is comprised of flexible
conductive material so as to ensure electrical coupling between
said translatable electrically conductive contact and said flexible
insulated conductor link when said translatable electrically
conductive contact is translated along said first axis into
conductive contact with said fixed contact element by being engaged
by said conductive terminal portion of said key.
18. An assembly according to claim 1, further including a solenoid
housing having a longitudinal cylindrical bore therethrough, said
longitudinal cylindrical bore being surrounded by a solenoid
winding of said solenoid device, said movable plunger being
slidably translatable along said second axis, said second axis
being a longitudinal axis within said longitudinal cylindrical
bore, said moveable plunger having a stem and being mechanically
biased by a compression spring that rides on said stem within said
longitudinal cylindrical bore, said compression spring being fitted
between a first surface of said moveable plunger and a bottom
interior surface of said longitudinal cylindrical bore of said
solenoid housing, said spring being operative, in the absence of
the energization of said solenoid winding, to bias said moveable
plunger away from the bottom interior surface of said longitudinal
cylindrical bore, whereas energization of said solenoid winding is
effective to translate said moveable plunger toward the bottom
interior surface of said longitudinal cylindrical bore.
19. An assembly according to claim 1 further including a housing
having a first cavity that is configured to accommodate said
generally cylindrical body, and a second cavity adjacent to said
first cavity and being sized to receive a cam member that is
mountable with said generally cylindrical body, such that rotation
of said generally cylindrical body within said first cavity of said
housing causes rotation of said cam member within said second
cavity of said housing.
20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein said housing further
includes a third cavity that communicates with said first cavity
and is configured to accommodate said solenoid device therein.
21. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein said housing further
includes a fourth cavity that is configured to accommodate the
insertion of said flexible conductor link therein and a flex
circuit to which said flexible conductor link is connected, said
flex circuit being connected to said solenoid device.
22. An assembly for an electronic lock and key system, said key
having a handle portion housing an electronic circuit, and a
conductive blade portion extending from said handle portion and
including a conductive terminal portion mounted upon and insulated
from said conductive blade portion, said conductive blade portion
and said conductive terminal portion being electrically connected
to said electronic circuit, said assembly comprising:
a conductive housing having a generally cylindrical first housing
portion and a generally elongated second housing portion solid with
said first housing portion, said first housing portion having a
longitudinal bore into which a cylindrical key-receiving plug is
inserted, said plug having a keyway being rotatable by the turning
of said key that has been inserted into said keyway and
electronically verified to have permission to operate the lock;
a lock operating element mounted with said plug, said lock
operating element being rotatable in a cavity formed in said second
housing portion;
an insulating contact element holder disposed in said longitudinal
bore, said contact element holder containing a fixed metallic
contact element and a flex circuit connected thereto;
said plug having a slot which intersects said keyway, said slot
containing a translatable electrically conductive contact which is
electrically connected with said fixed metallic contact element and
supported in said slot for contact with said conductive terminal
portion of said key but not said blade portion of said key; and
a solenoid device to which said flex circuit is electrically
coupled, said solenoid device having a moveable plunger that is
arranged to be translatable into and out of a plunger-receiving
bore in said plug, said moveable plunger being biased to normally
be inserted into said plunger-receiving bore, so as to engage said
plug and thereby prevent rotation of the plug, but, in response to
energization of said solenoid device, being translated out of said
plunger-receiving bore in said plug, so as to allow rotation of
said plug in the longitudinal bore in said first housing
portion.
23. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein said second housing
portion further includes an additional housing bore alignable with
a corresponding additional bore in said plug, said additional
housing bore containing a first pin biased toward said plug, said
corresponding additional bore in said plug extending to a
prescribed depth in said keyway, and having a second pin which is
of such a length that, when said key is inserted into said keyway,
said corresponding additional bore is axially aligned with said
additional housing bore and said second pin is captured within a
detent in said blade portion.
24. An assembly according to claim 23, wherein the length of said
second pin is such that said second pin is flush with the outer
cylindrical surface of the plug when said key is inserted in said
keyway to capture said second pin within said detent in said blade
portion.
25. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein a front end portion
of said second housing portion contains an opto-electronic
communication unit having opto-electronic transmit and receive
devices, which are operative to communicate with mutually aligned
receive and transmit opto-electronic modules of an opto-electronic
communication unit within said handle portion of said key.
26. An assembly according to claim 25 wherein electrical
connections to the opto-electronic transmit and receive devices of
said second housing portion are provided by way of said flex
circuit.
27. An assembly according to claim 22, further including a
plurality of regions of hardened material that prevent forced
penetration access to components in cavities of said housing and
said plug.
28. An assembly according to claim 22, further wherein the slot in
said plug contains an insulating contact insert having a first bore
which extends from an outer surface portion thereof to a base
thereof, and a second, reduced diameter bore formed in said base, a
conductive cap disposed within said first bore of said insulating
contact insert, said translatable electrically conductive contact
having a nipple portion that passes through said second bore in
said base of said contact insert and protrudes to a position
adjacent to said keyway.
29. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein said translatable
electrically conductive contact has a bore that accommodates one
end of a compression spring, the other end of which is seated
against an interior surface of said conductive cap, and wherein
said slot, said contact insert, said conductive cap and said
translatable electrically conductive contact are dimensioned such
that said nipple portion of said translatable electrically
conductive contact does not enter the keyway, so that said
translatable electrically conductive contact will not be contacted
by said conductive blade portion of said key when said key is
inserted into said keyway.
30. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein said translatable
electrically conductive contact has a bore that accommodates one
end of a compression spring, the other end of which is seated
against an interior surface of said conductive cap, and wherein
said slot, said contact insert, said conductive cap and said
translatable electrically conductive contact are dimensioned such
that only said nipple portion of said translatable electrically
conductive contact will be physically and electrically engaged by
said conductive terminal portion of said key, when the key is
inserted into the keyway.
31. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein said insulating
contact element holder has an interior surface depression in which
said fixed metallic contact element is disposed and an exterior
surface channel in which said flex circuit is disposed, said
exterior surface channel communicating with said interior surface
depression and containing a portion of said flex circuit.
32. An assembly according to claim 22, further including a solenoid
housing portion having a longitudinal cylindrical bore
therethrough, said longitudinal cylindrical bore being surrounded
by a solenoid winding of said solenoid device, said movable plunger
being slidably translatable along a longitudinal axis within said
longitudinal cylindrical bore, said moveable plunger having a stem
and being mechanically biased by a compression spring that rides on
said stem within said longitudinal cylindrical bore, said
compression spring being fitted between a first surface of said
moveable plunger and a bottom interior surface of said longitudinal
cylindrical bore of said solenoid housing portion, said spring
being operative, in the absence of the energization of said
solenoid winding, to bias said moveable plunger away from the
bottom interior surface of said longitudinal cylindrical bore,
whereas energization of said solenoid winding is effective to
translate said moveable plunger toward the bottom interior surface
of said longitudinal cylindrical bore.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to electronic key and lock
systems, and is particularly directed to a new and improved
electronic lock architecture that is configured to conform with
what is commonly known in the industry as a `Eurocylinder` type of
lock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In my above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,588, I have described an
electronic lock and key system, in which each of the respective
lock and key devices is provided with on-board intelligence (its
own control processor), with the lock supplying power for each of
the lock and the key, and wherein communications between the lock
and the key are effected by means of a secure bidirectional optical
(infrared) communication link. An example of an electronic lock and
key system with which the lock and key components described in my
above-referenced co-pending application has particular utility is
described in co-pending application Ser. No. 843,998 by C.
Malinowski et al which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
596,100, filed Oct. 11, 1990, assigned to the assignee of the
present application and the disclosures of which are herein
incorporated. It should be observed, however, that the hardware
structure of such a lock and key system is not limited to a
particular type of application, but is intended to be useful in a
variety of housing configurations.
A widely employed application where use of this new and improved
functionality of such an electronic lock and key system is desired
is in what is known as a `Eurocylinder` design, prevalent in
residential buildings, offices and hotels throughout Europe. In
accordance with the `Eurocylinder` standard, the lock hardware has
a cylindrical unit or plug that is fitted into a main body housing,
the main body being shaped and sized to be mounted into a support
structure cavity, such as a mortise, of standardized dimensions for
European mortise locks. The cylindrical plug and body are mounted
to be generally flush with the support structure (e.g. door
mortise). The plug has a keyway at one end and a lock operating
element (in the form of a deadbolt-engaging cam) at the other end.
To operate the lock, the blade of a mechanical key whose key
pattern matches the actuator pattern of the lock's keyway is
inserted into the keyway and the key is rotated. Rotating the key
rotates the cylinder and thereby the cam, so as to operate the
deadbolt.
Now although the electronic lock and key system described in my
above-referenced application offers significantly improved security
and flexibility as compared with the conventional Eurocylinder lock
and key devices, and its replacement for the conventional
mechanical design is desired, users of the improved system are
faced with the fact that their mounting hardware is configured
exclusively for a Eurocylinder-type device, so that to be widely
accepted, any retrofit must conform with the dimensions of the
standard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, I have developed an
electronic lock architecture that incorporates the novel features
of the electronic lock and key described in my above-referenced
application, but in a configuration that conforms with the
`Eurocylinder` type of lock, so that it may readily replace
mechanical Eurocylinder type locks without a need to modify the
mounting receptacle used to house the existing mechanical unit.
For this purpose, the present invention comprises a new and
improved lock structure comprised of a conductive (metallic)
Eurocylinder-shaped housing which readily fits within standard
Eurocylinder mortise lock fixtures. The cylindrical portion of the
housing has a longitudinal bore into which a cylindrical key
receiving plug is inserted. The plug is rotatable by the turning of
a key that has been inserted into a keyway in the plug and
electronically verified to have permission to operate the lock.
A deadbolt-engaging cam is mounted solid with a rear end of the
plug. To accommodate the cam, an elongated body portion of the
Eurocylinder housing has a cavity that extends from a sidewall
portion of the cylindrical portion to a prescribed depth of its
interior surface. An arcuate recess is formed in the interior
surface of the front end of the bore. The contact holder has an
interior surface depression in which a fixed metallic contact
element is captured and which serves as a conductive interface
between a translatable contact and a flex circuit terminal, so that
an electrical circuit path may be provided between the flex circuit
and an insulated terminal on the keyblade.
The Eurocylinder-configured body further includes a generally
cylindrical cavity that extends from a generally flat land portion
at the bottom of a depression that extends from a surface of the
elongated curvilinear portion, which is enclosed by a cover. This
cavity is configured to accommodate the insertion of a solenoid
device. The solenoid device is energized by way of a flex circuit
that meanders through a passageway through the lock housing
provided for the purpose. Slidably translatable within a bore
intersecting the plug is a solenoid plunger. The plug has a bore
that is sized to receive the solenoid plunger along an axis
alignable with a longitudinal axis of the solenoid. The plunger is
biased by a compression spring to normally prevent rotation of the
plug. To rotate the plug the solenoid winding is energized so as to
withdraw the plunger out of the bore in the plug.
The elongated portion of the housing includes an additional bore
transverse from the land portion of the depression and intersects
the bore in which the plug is inserted. This additional bore is
alignable with a corresponding bore in the plug. Disposed within
and slidably translatable along the axis of the additional bore is
a first pin that is biased by a compression spring toward the plug.
The corresponding bore in the plug has a bore extending through the
sidewall of the plug to a prescribed depth in the keyway. This
corresponding plug bore contains a second pin which is of such a
length that when the key is properly inserted into the keyway the
corresponding plug bore is axially aligned with the additional bore
and the second pin is captured within a detent in keyblade. In
addition a flat end portion of the second pin is flush with the
outer cylindrical surface of the plug and an end surface of the
first pin. Since the flat end portion of the second pin is flush
with the outer cylindrical surface of the plug, the plug can be
rotated.
When the key and the plug are rotated from this aligned, insertion
position, the key cannot be removed. Only when the key and plug are
rotated into the insertion position can the key be removed.
Pressure of the second pin against the aligned first pin compresses
the compression spring and allows the second pin to ride up into
the bore in the body, so that the second pin may clear the keyblade
detent and the key extracted. When the key is removed from the
keyway the second pin drops down to a position determined by the
depth of the bore in the plug.
A front end portion of the elongated portion of the housing
includes a cavity that is configured to receive an opto-electronic
communication unit. This opto-electronic communication unit has a
pair of opto-electronic transmit and receive devices, which are fit
into respective bores of a solid endwall of the communication unit.
These modules are operative to communicate with mutually aligned
receive and transmit opto-electronic modules of an opto-electronic
communication unit within a handle portion of the key. Electrical
connections to the opto-electronic modules of the lock housing are
provided by way of respective conductor tracks of the flex
circuit.
A rear face of the endwall of the opto-electronic communication
unit of the lock housing opens into a cavity that is sized to
accommodate the insertion of the flex circuit and also a flexible
conductive link member which is connected to one of the conductors
of the flex circuit. The flex circuit serves to carry power and
electrical communication signals used by the electrical and
electronic components of the lock.
In order to substantially reduce the ability to tamper with the
lock, a plurality of auxiliary bores containing material such as
hardened steel pins or the like are provided, thereby making it
difficult to penetrate by force (e.g. drill) through the front of
the lock for the purpose of gaining access to lock components.
The keyway in the plug extends through the plug from a front
circular face to a rear circular face. The keyway has conventional
guide ridges with which corresponding grooves on the key must
conform. The plug also has a generally cylindrical slot transverse
to the keyway. The slot receives an insulating contact insert,
which has a spherically contoured outer surface from which extend a
pair of tabs that fit within a channel formed within one side of
the keyway, so that the contact insert may be captured in the slot.
The contact insert has a first cylindrical bore which extends from
its outer spherical surface to a base, and a second, reduced
diameter bore formed in the base.
A conductive cap fits within the first bore of the contact insert.
The conductive cap has a generally spherically contoured base
portion which is continuous with a cylindrical wall portion.
Slidably disposed within a cylindrical wall portion of the cap is a
translatable metallic contact, having a generally spherical solid
nipple portion that is contiguous with a slightly wider diameter,
generally cylindrical base portion. The nipple portion passes
through the second bore in the contact insert and protrudes just
beyond the rear surface of its base.
The metallic contact has a bore that accommodates one end of a
compression spring, the other end of which is seated against the
interior surface of the spherically contoured conductive cap. The
dimensions of the plug slot, contact insert, conductive cap and
metallic contact are such that the nipple portion of the metallic
contact does not enter the keyway, so that metallic contact will
not be contacted by the conductive keyblade when the keyblade is
inserted into the keyway. Instead, the slight protrusion of the
nipple portion of contact through the bore of the contact insert is
such that the nipple portion of the metallic contact will be
physically and electrically engaged by a raised terminal contact of
the key, which is insulated and physically offset from the main
body of the keyblade. Thus, when the key is inserted into the
keyway, the conductive blade slides through the keyway until the
keyblade is fully seated, with the pin in the plug being captured
in the keyblade detent. In this position, the raised terminal
contact engages the metallic contact pushing against the bias of
its compression spring so as to provide an electrically conductive
path from the raised terminal contact through the translatable
contact to the metallic cap.
The outer surface of the spherically contoured base portion of the
metallic cap contacts the fixed metallic contact, that is captured
in the interior surface depression of the insulating contact
holder. The interior surface depression in the contact holder
adjoins a generally circular end of a recess formed in the exterior
curved surface of the contact holder. The recess has a generally
elongate portion that extends from the circular end along the
exterior surface of the contact holder. The elongate portion of the
recess receives a `positive battery` contact segment of a flex
circuit. One end of this flex circuit segment has a generally
disc-shaped pad which is intimately electrically bonded to the
contact element retained in the contact holder. The other end of
the flex circuit segment is connected to the main flex circuit, so
that a positive battery bus connection is provided via the flex
circuit to the insulated terminal contact on the keyblade. Thus,
the flex circuit structure provides a conductive power link for one
(+) of the battery terminals, while the metallic body of the lock
and the conductive keyblade provide a (ground) link for the other
(-) battery terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 are respective diagrammatic interior side and
exterior front end views of a Eurocylinder-conformal electronic
lock in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a partial interior side view of the interior of the
Eurocylinder of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the body of the
Eurocylinder-type lock in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the body of the
Eurocylinder-type lock in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the body of the
Eurocylinder-type lock in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the body of the Eurocylinder-type lock in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the body of the Eurocylinder-type
lock in accordance with an embodiment of the invention taken along
lines 8--8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a solenoid device
employed in the electronic Eurocylinder lock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic top end view of the solenoid device of
FIG. 9;
FIGS. 11 shows a retaining pin;
FIGS. 12 and 13 are respective end and side views of a cover for
the solenoid depression of the housing structure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a front end view of the opto-electronic unit of FIG.
1;
FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the opto-electronic unit of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 16 is a rear end view of the opto-electronic unit of FIG.
1;
FIG. 17 is a side sectional view of the opto-electronic unit of
FIG. 1 taken along lines 17--17 of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a top sectional view of the opto-electronic unit of FIG.
1 taken along lines 18--18 of FIG. 15;
FIG. 19 shows a flex circuit;
FIG. 20 is a front end view of a cylindrical plug 20 of the
Eurocylinder-type lock in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 21 is a side elevation end view of the plug 20 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 22 is a rear end view of the plug 20 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 23 is a top view of the plug 20 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 24 is an end sectional view taken along lines 24--24 of FIG.
21;
FIG. 25 is a side sectional view taken along lines 25--25 of FIG.
23;
FIG. 26 is an end sectional view taken along lines 26--26 of FIG.
23;
FIGS. 27-29 are respective diagrammatic left side, end and right
side views of an electronic key;
FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic front sectional view of the
Eurocylinder-type lock of FIG. 1 showing the moveable contact
components of the plug;
FIGS. 31 and 32 are respective end and side sectional views of a
contact insert;
FIGS. 33 and 34 are respective end and side sectional views of a
metallic cap;
FIGS. 35 and 36 are respective end and side sectional views of a
solid metallic contact;
FIGS. 37 and 38 are respective side and end views of a fixed
contact element;
FIG. 39 is an interior side view of a contact holder;
FIG. 40 is an end view of the contact holder of FIG. 39;
FIG. 41 is an exterior side view of the contact holder of FIG.
39;
FIG. 42 is sectional view of a contact holder taken along lines
42--42 of FIG. 39; and
FIG. 43 shows a flex circuit segment for the contact holder of
FIGS. 39-42.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, respective diagrammatic
interior side and exterior front end views of the
Eurocylinder-conformal electronic lock in accordance with the
present invention, while FIGS. 3-7 show the configuration of the
body portion of the lock in greater detail, as will be described.
As shown, the lock comprises a conductive (metallic)
Eurocylinder-shaped housing or body 10 having a generally
cylindrical body portion 13 from a side portion of which extends a
generally elongated curvilinear portion 15. The cylindrical body
portion 13 has a first, generally cylindrical longitudinal cavity
or bore 21 that is configured to accommodate a generally
cylindrical key-receiving plug 20, which is intended to be
rotatable within bore 21 of the cylindrical body portion 13 of the
housing, by the turning of a key that has been inserted into a
keyway in the plug and electronically verified to have permission
to operate the lock, as will be described.
More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, plug 20 has a keyway
25 into a first or front end 27 of which the blade of an electronic
key, diagrammatically shown at 30 in FIG. 1, is inserted in the
course of operating the lock. A deadbolt-engaging cam 33 is mounted
solid (as by way of a conventional clutch mount diagrammatically
illustrated at 32) with a second or rear end 35 of the cylindrical
plug. To accommodate cam 33, body 10 has a second cavity 41 that
extends from a sidewall 43 portion of the cylindrical portion 13 to
a prescribed depth of its interior surface 40 in the elongated
curvilinear portion 15. When the key 30 rotates the plug 20, the
cam 33 is also rotated in cavity 41 and thereby engages a deadbolt
(not shown), so as to open the lock.
As shown in detail in FIG. 3 and 4, an arcuate recess 34 having a
generally rectangular perimeter is formed in the interior surface
of the front end of bore 21 and is provided with a pair of mounting
holes 38, 42 for receiving corresponding mounting posts of an
insulating contact holder 44 to be described below with reference
to FIGS. 39-42. As will be described, contact holder 45 has a
generally rectangular depression or recess 46, in which a fixed
metallic contact, such a beryllium copper element, is captured and
which serves as a conductive interface between a translatable
contact and a flex circuit terminal, so that an electrical circuit
path may be provided between the flex circuit and an insulated
terminal on the keyblade.
The Eurocylinder-configured body 10 of the present invention
further includes a generally cylindrical third cavity or bore 51
that extends from a generally flat land portion 53 at the bottom of
a depression 55 extending from bottom surface portion 57 in
elongated curvilinear portion 15. In the course of final assembly
depression 55 is enclosed by a cover 56, shown in detail in FIGS.
11 and 12, to be described. Bore 51 communicates with the first
cavity 21 and is configured to accommodate the insertion of a
solenoid device, shown generally at 61.
As diagrammatically shown in the detailed side sectional view of
FIG. 9 and the top view of FIG. 10, solenoid device 61 is generally
cylindrically configured of interior end and cylindrical sidewalls
of plastic material 59, having a longitudinal bore 62 surrounded by
a winding 68. Energization current for winding 68 is supplied by
way of a pair of electrical terminals 76, 78 that are sized and
positioned to be electrically coupled to respective links of a flex
circuit (diagrammatically shown at 91 in FIG. 1) as will be
described. Slidably translatable within bore 62 is a movable
plunger 63 made of low reluctance magnetic material that is
translatable along a longitudinal bore axis 65. Axis 65 intersects
bore 21 in the cylindrical body portion 13 of the housing.
As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1, the bottom of cavity 51 has a
reduced diameter cylindrical bore 71 that is sized to receive a
bottom portion 69 of solenoid device 61. Cylindrical plug 20 has a
bore 72 that is sized to receive solenoid plunger 63 and has a
longitudinal axis 75 that is alignable with longitudinal axis 65 of
the solenoid. Plunger 63 is normally mechanically biased by a
compression spring 67 that rides on a stem 64 of plunger 63 and is
fitted between a rear surface 66 of plunger 63 and the bottom
interior surface 81 of the longitudinal cylindrical bore 62 of
solenoid device 61.
In the absence of the energization of solenoid winding 68, spring
67 is operative to normally bias plunger 63 into the bore 72 of the
cylindrical plug 20, and thereby prevent rotation of the plug. In
order for the plug 20 to rotate within bore 21, the solenoid
winding 68 must be energized thereby translating the plunger 63 out
of the bore 72 in the plug 20.
The elongated portion 15 of body 10 further includes a fourth,
generally cylindrical bore 101 that extends generally transversely
from the land portion 53 of depression 55 and intersects bore 21.
Bore 101 is sized and located so as to be alignable with a bore 111
of plug 20, which is rotatably captured in bore 21 of the generally
cylindrical body portion 13. Disposed within and slidably
translatable along an axis 102 of bore 101 is a generally
cylindrical pin 105 that is biased by a compression spring 107,
seated between a cylindrical retaining pin 104, shown in detail in
FIG. 11, and the bottom 106 of pin 105, toward the bore 21 in which
cylindrical plug is inserted. The outer cylindrical surface of
retaining pin 104 is approximate the diameter of bore 101 and has a
knurled surface so as to allow retaining pin to be press fit into
bore 101. Retaining pin 104 is inserted into bore 101, so that its
bottom surface 108 is flush with land 53 of depression 55.
Extending from the bottom surface 108 of retaining pin 104 is a
grounding post 110, that is sized to fit in a corresponding hole in
flex circuit 91 and serves to provide both a circuit ground and to
anchor the flex circuit at that point.
As noted earlier, depression 55 is enclosed by a removable cover
56, shown in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, that permits access to
solenoid device 61, pins 105, 113 and flex circuit 91. Cover 56 has
a partial cylindrical wall 201 from which extend a pair of leg
portions 203, 205, which may be attached by screws or the like to
corresponding slots 213, 215 in body 10, shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and
8. Alternatively, the cover 56 may be formed as an extended unitary
part of opto-electronic communication unit 140.
As will be described in detail below, plug 20 has a bore 111 of the
same diameter as bore 101, with bore 111 extending through the
cylindrical sidewall 26 of the plug 20 to a prescribed depth in the
keyway 25. Bore 111 also contains a pin 113. The length of pin 113
is such that, when the key is properly inserted in the keyway 25 in
the position shown in FIG. 1, bore 111 in plug 20 is axially
aligned with bore 101 of elongated body portion 15, and a rounded
head portion 121 of the pin 113 is captured within a detent 123 in
keyblade 31, on the one hand, and a second flat end portion 125 of
pin 113 is flush with the outer cylindrical surface 127 of plug 20
and an end surface 114 of pin 105. Since the flat end portion 125
of pin 113 is flush with the outer cylindrical surface 127 of plug
20, the plug 20 can be rotated in bore 21.
When the key 30 and plug 20 are rotated from this aligned,
insertion position, the key cannot be removed, since the second
flat end portion 125 of the pin 113 is no longer in axial alignment
and flush with the end surface 114 of pin 111. Only when the key 30
and plug 20 are rotated into the insertion position can the key be
removed, since it is in this position that the second flat end
portion 125 of the pin 113 is in axial alignment and flush with the
end surface 114 of pin 111, so that as the key is pulled out of the
keyway, the rounded head portion 121 of pin 113 is moved axially in
bore 111 by contact pressure of keyblade detent 123. Pressure of
pin 113 against pin 105 compresses spring 107 and allows pin 113 to
ride up into bore 111, so that the rounded head portion 121 may
clear the keyblade detent 123, whereby the key can be extracted.
When the key is removed from the keyway 25, pin 113 drops back down
to a position determined by the depth of bore 111 in plug 20.
A front end portion 131 of the elongated portion 15 of body 10
includes a fourth cavity 133 that is configured to receive an
opto-electronic communication unit, shown at 140 in FIG. 1, and
illustrated in detail in FIGS. 14-18. Opto-electronic communication
unit 140 has a pair of opto-electronic transmit and receive
devices, shown in FIG. 1 as an infrared transmitter module 151 and
an infrared receiver module 153, of the type described in my
above-referenced co-pending application, which are fit into
respective bores 141 and 143 of a solid endwall 145 of unit 140.
Modules 151 and 153 are operative to communicate with mutually
aligned receive and transmit opto-electronic modules 161, 163 of an
opto-electronic communication unit 150, diagrammatically shown at
150 within a handle portion 36 of the key 30.
Electrical connections to opto-electronic modules 151 and 153 are
provided by way of terminal posts 171, 173 and 181, 183
respectively, which extend from a rear face 146 of endwall 145 and
attach to respective conductor tracks of flex circuit 91, as will
be described with reference to FIG. 19. At a front or face portion
144 of endwall 145, bores 141, 143 have respective circular
recesses 156, 157 which receive lenses 158, 159.
Rear face 146 of endwall 145 of unit 140 opens into a cavity 172
that is sized to accommodate the insertion of multi-conductor flex
circuit 91, and also a flexible conductive link member, or flex
circuit segment (not shown in FIG. 1, but described in detail below
with reference to FIG. 43), which is connected to one of the
conductors of the flex circuit 91. As described above, flex circuit
91 serves to carry power and electrical communication signals used
by the electrical and electronic components of the lock.
As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, cavity 172 adjoins
depression 55, so as to provide an unobstructed path (shown in FIG.
1 as having a right angle turn 58) through which flex circuit 91
may extend. Flex circuit 91 exits body 10 by way of a channel or
recess 191 in bottom surface portion 57 of elongated curvilinear
portion 15.
In order to substantially reduce the ability to tamper with the
components of the lock, a plurality of auxiliary bores are bored
into body 10, as shown at 185, 186 and 187 in FIG. 1. A material
such as hardened steel pins or the like are inserted into these
bores, thereby making it extremely difficult to gain forced entry
as by drilling through the front of the lock for the purpose of
gaining access to respective lock components such as the solenoid
device 61, flex circuit 91 and locking pin 113.
Flex circuit 91 is shown in detail in FIG. 19 as a generally
elongated, thin dielectric strip, such as Mylar, in which are
embedded a plurality of conductive tracks that extend from
respective ones of a plurality of terminal pads 221. Distributed
along the flex circuit strip are respective access holes 231 to
allow external connections to be made to the embedded conductor
tracks in the flex circuit strip. In addition, a center track of
the flex circuit is connected to a pad region shown at 233, in
order to provide a power bus connection to an insulated power
terminal on the keyblade, as will be described.
Referring now to FIGS. 20-26, the generally longitudinal
cylindrical key-receiving metallic plug 20, which is illustrated in
FIG. 1 as being rotatably captured within bore 21 of the metallic
cylindrical body portion 13 of the lock, is shown as having a
keyway 25 which extends through the plug from front circular face
221 to a rear circular face 223. Keyway 25 has conventional guide
ridges 231, 232 with which corresponding grooves on the key must
conform, as well as a key lead chamfer 235. Keyway 25 is sized to
receive the conductive blade portion 31 of an electronic key 30,
diagrammatically shown partially in FIG. 1 and shown in FIGS.
27-29.
Plug 20 also has a generally cylindrical slot or bore 241 having an
axis 247 that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 249
of keyway 25. Bore 241 extends from the outer wall surface 243 to
the keyway 25. An annular groove 251 is formed to a prescribed
depth in the surface 243 of the plug, so as to intersect bore 241.
Annular groove 251 serves to prevent a short circuit between a
fixed contact 310 (of positive polarity, for example, and shown in
FIG. 37, to be described) and key-receiving plug 20 (of negative
polarity, for example), when the plug 20 is rotated by key 30. An
annular groove 252 is also formed to a prescribed depth in the
surface of the plug for receiving an O-ring (not shown) for
capturing the plug in the cylindrical body.
Cylindrical bore 241 is sized to receive an insulating contact
insert, shown at 253 in FIG. 30, and in detail in FIGS. 31 and 32.
Specifically, contact insert 253 is comprised of a dielectric
material, such as polycarbonate, and has a spherically contoured
outer surface 255 from which a pair of tabs 257 and 259 extend.
These tabs are sized to fit within a annular groove 251 of plug 20,
as shown in FIGS. 21 and 25, so that the contact insert 253 may be
captured in bore 241. The contact insert has a cylindrical bore 263
which extends from outer surface 255 to a base or bottom wall 265.
A cylindrical bore 267, having a diameter smaller than that of and
coaxial with bore 263 is formed in bottom wall 265.
A conductive (metallic) cap, shown at 271 in FIG. 30 and in detail
in FIGS. 33 and 34, is sized to fit within cylindrical bore 263 of
contact insert 253. Conductive cap 271 has a generally spherically
contoured base portion 273 which is continuous with a cylindrical
wall portion 275. Cap 271 is dimensioned to fit within the interior
bore 263 of contact insert 253 and has a length that is slightly
smaller than the depth of bore 263, as shown in FIG. 30, so as
allow for variations in manufacturing tolerances.
Slidably disposed within the cylindrical wall portion 275 of
conductive cap 271 is a translatable metallic contact shown at 281
in FIG. 30 and in detail in FIGS. 35 and 36. Metallic contact 281
has a generally spherical solid nipple portion 283 that is
contiguous with a slightly wider diameter, generally cylindrical
base portion 285. Nipple portion 283 is sized to pass through bore
267 in contact insert 253 and protrude just beyond the rear surface
of base 265.
Extending from base portion 285 is a bore 289 that is sized to
accommodate the insertion of one end of a compression spring, shown
at 291. As shown in FIG. 30, compression spring 291 is seated
between the interior surface 274 of the spherically contoured base
portion 273 of conductive cap 271 and the interior end 293 of bore
289 of metallic contact 281.
In their assembled configuration shown in FIG. 30, the dimensions
of bore 241 in plug 20, the depth of contact insert 253, the length
of conductive cap 271, and the dimensions of contact 281 are such
that nipple portion 283 of contact 281 does not enter the keyway
25, so that contact 281 will not be contacted by the conductive
keyblade 31 when the keyblade is inserted into the keyway. Instead,
the slight protrusion of the nipple portion 283 of contact 281
through bore 267 of contact insert 253 is such that nipple portion
283 will be physically and electrically engaged by a raised
terminal contact 301 that is insulated and physically offset from
the main body of the keyblade 31, by means of an insulator layer
303, as shown in FIGS. 1, 27 and 28.
Namely, when the key is inserted into the keyway, the conductive
blade 31 slides through the keyway until the keyblade is fully
seated, with pin 113 captured in keyblade detent 123. In this
position, raised terminal contact 301 has engaged contact 281
pushing against the bias of compression spring 291, so as to
provide an electrically conductive path from the raised terminal
contact 301, through translatable contact 281, to metallic cap
271.
The outer surface of spherically contoured base portion 273 of
conductive cap 271 is arranged to be in contact with a fixed
metallic contact, such a beryllium copper element, shown in detail
at 310, in FIGS. 37 and 38, fixed metallic contact 310 being
captured in recess 46 of insulating contact holder 45. The contact
holder 45 itself is shown in detail in FIGS. 39-42 as an
arcuate-shaped element having a generally rectangular perimeter
which fits within the recess 34 of bore 21 of the cylindrical
portion 13 of body 10. Generally rectangular shaped recess 46, in
which fixed metallic contact 310 is inserted, is formed in an
interior curved surface 311 and adjoins a generally circular end
312 of a recess 313 formed in the outer exterior curved surface 315
of insulating contact holder 45. Recess 313 has a generally
elongate portion 316 that extends from circular end 312 along
exterior surface 315 of contact holder 45. Elongate portion 316 of
recess 313 is sized and shaped to receive a `positive battery`
contact flex circuit segment, shown at 320 in FIG. 30 and in detail
in FIG. 43.
Similar to flex circuit strip 91, flex circuit segment 320 is
formed of a generally elongated, thin dielectric strip, such as
Mylar, in which a conductive track 321 is embedded. Conductive
track 321 extends from a conductive pad 323 on one side of a first,
generally enlarged disc-shaped connection end 325 of the dielectric
strip to a terminal pad 327 accessible from both sides of a second
end 329 of flex circuit segment 320. The conductive pad 323 on the
disc-shaped connection end 325 of flex circuit segment 320 is
intimately electrically bonded to contact element 310, as by means
of conductive epoxy, or soldering.
Conductive track 321 provides a positive battery contact or power
bus connection to the insulated terminal contact 301 on the
keyblade. Terminal pad 329 is sized to engage pad 233 of flex
circuit 91, described above with reference to FIG. 19, so that a
continuous positive contact power bus connection is provided by way
of the flex circuit structure that meanders through interior
cavities of the lock body. Namely, the flex circuit structure
(91-320) provides a conductive power link for one of the battery
terminals (e.g. the positive (+) terminal), while the metallic body
of the lock and the conductive keyblade provide a (ground) link for
the other (-) battery terminal.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, pursuant to
the present invention, the advantages of the architecture and
functionality of the electronic lock and key system described in my
above-referenced co-pending U.S. Patent Application, wherein each
of respective lock and key devices is provided with on-board
intelligence, the lock supplying power for each of the lock and the
key, and communications between the lock and the key being effected
by means of a secure bidirectional optical communication link are
incorporated into a Eurocylinder-type of lock structure so that
conventional mechanically actuated Eurocylinder configurations may
be readily retrofitted to provide a secure electronic lock and key
system.
While I have shown and described an embodiment in accordance with
the present invention, it is to be understood that the same is not
limited thereto but is susceptible to numerous changes and
modifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and I
therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
* * * * *